Labor and Delivery

Specialists at our labor and delivery hospitals support you during this major milestone

During one of life’s biggest moments, our labor and delivery hospitals and specialists are here to keep you and your family safe, joyful and in the moment.

From ultrasound to delivery, the experienced care teams at our labor and delivery hospitals near you will be with you every moment of the way through all the stages of labor.

Labor and delivery services for your unique birthing plan

With a birthing plan unique to you and the latest safety protocols to keep you safe and healthy, the experienced care teams at our local labor and delivery hospitals will be with you every moment of the way.

We offer labor and delivery services at 14 hospitals across North and Central Texas. Not all locations offer each service. Find a local labor and delivery hospital near you to learn more about our unique offerings.

Find a local hospital for delivering your newborn

Helping you prepare every step of the way at our labor and delivery hospitals

If you find yourself asking, "what is the best labor and delivery hospital near me?" our experienced care teams are here to help you prepare for your big moment—and every little moment along the way, including all the stages of labor. Tell us a little about where you are in your journey and get the answers you need for a safe pregnancy, labor and delivery near you.

Taking extra care and measures to keep you and your pregnancy safe amidst COVID-19

Safeguarding you and your family's health and well-being amidst COVID-19 is our priority. In accordance with CDC guidance, we've implemented preventive measures and protections designed to protect our patients, team members and our communities.

  • What are the visitor guidelines for labor and delivery during COVID-19?

    Important: Visitor policy may vary between hospitals. If you have further questions, please contact the hospital you are scheduled to deliver at for further assistance.

    Visitors will follow our screening protocols, including receiving a temperature check and completing a symptom questionnaire upon entering the hospital. 

    Labor & Delivery/postpartum
    In most cases, one visitor over the age of 16 is allowed. Must be the same visitor wearing the infant security band for the entire stay.

    Parents with multiples/postpartum
    Only the mother and father or partner can provide care.

    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
    If the newborn is in the NICU, mother and father or partner are allowed. If the mother has multiples, only mother and father or partner can provide care and parents are able to leave and return to the hospital. Depending on the hospital’s guidelines, some parents may be allowed a support person(s) to help care for newborns in the NICU – must be the same visitor(s) wearing the infant security band for the entire stay.

    Postpartum mother discharged, but newborn is not
    The newborn remains in the postpartum department or NICU (depending on the newborn’s condition). Parents are able to leave and return to the hospital.

    Antepartum patients
    One visitor per day (different visitor can come on different days) is allowed.

    Home births/postpartum readmits
    For mothers who deliver at home but need to be admitted to the hospital for further care, the newborn can remain with the mother, as long as a support person is present to be responsible for the newborn.

    Surrogacy
    Depending on the delivery and hospital’s guidelines, the parents intending to raise the child can be present during the delivery, however, they cannot be present during a cesarean birth. Both parents may stay in the postpartum room as long as they do not leave the hospital. A support person will be allowed to remain with the surrogate mother throughout her stay.

    Adoption
    If the patient allows an infant security band to be provided for one of the adoptive parents and the newborn is intended to room with the adoptive parent(s), then the adoptive parent(s) will be allowed to care for the newborn but should not leave the hospital. The birth mother is allowed a support person during her stay. If the patient does not allow an infant security band to be provided to anyone and the baby is staying in the birth mother’s room, then the adoptive parents cannot come in as approved visitors.

    Demise
    After delivery, a second support person may visit the baby and stay for a short period of time.

  • What are the mask requirements for labor and delivery?

    Anyone who enters our hospitals must wear an approved face mask that covers their nose and mouth. All labor & delivery patients will be tested for COVID-19 prior to their delivery. If the test detects COVID-19, then patients must wear a mask during labor & delivery and throughout the entire stay. 

    Confirmed COVID-19 or symptomatic spouses or partners will not be allowed to enter our hospitals.

  • Can mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 breastfeed?

    If you are breastfeeding and test positive for COVID-19, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend taking extra precautions, including practicing regular hand and breast hygiene and wearing a face mask to avoid spreading the virus to your baby.

    As with any viral illness, women are encouraged to continue to breastfeed even when they are ill due to the many benefits breast milk provides, including nutritional value and antibodies to help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. To date, the COVID-19 virus has not been found in the breast milk of women who have tested positive for COVID-19. Learn more about the extra precautions mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 can take while breastfeeding.

    Breastfeeding infection control measures:

    • Wear a face mask and follow thorough hand and breast hygiene for breastfeeding directly, pumping, and expressing breast milk.
    • Follow proper pump and bottle cleaning/sanitizing guidelines after each use.
    • Use a dedicated breast pump and carefully transfer the milk to a clean bottle.
    • Wash your hands thoroughly before touching any pump or bottle parts and before expressing breast milk.
    • If possible, have a healthy caregiver feed the expressed breast milk to your baby.
  • Can a confirmed COVID-19 mother and healthy newborn room together?

    Mother and her well newborn can room together, but it is recommended to take preventive infection control measures when caring for your newborn. Rest assured our dedicated medical teams regularly care for patients with infectious diseases and will help parents take extra precautions to safely care for their newborn.

    A mother who is acutely ill with COVID-19 may not be able to care for her newborn in a safe way. In this situation, it may be appropriate to temporarily separate the mother and newborn or have the newborn cared for by a non-infected caregiver in the mother’s room.

    Preventive infection control measures:

    • During the birth hospitalization, the mother should maintain a reasonable distance from her newborn when possible. When a mother is caring for her newborn, she should wear a face mask and practice regular hand and breast hygiene.
    • Depending on the mother’s condition, use of an isolette may facilitate distancing and provide the infant an added measure of protection from respiratory droplets.
    • If non-infected spouse, partner, or family members are present during and after the birth, they should practice regular hand hygiene and wear a face mask when caring for the newborn.
  • Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the Society for Maternal Fetal (SFMFM) and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) encourages vaccination for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, attempting to get pregnant or undergoing treatment for infertility. Based on recommendations and available evidence from leading women’s health organizations, the vaccines are safe for these populations.

    Below is additional information about the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 and the safety of the vaccines in those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or looking to become pregnant.

    • COVID-19 patients who are pregnant are three times more likely to end up in the intensive care unit (ICU), be put on a ventilator and are at increased risk of death, stillbirth or preterm birth.
    • A study published recently in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows the vaccines are not only safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women, they may also offer some protection for their babies. In fact, antibodies were also found in umbilical cord blood and breast milk.
    • Protective antibodies have also been shown to cross the placenta and confer protection to the baby after delivery.
    • In addition, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, there is no evidence that the vaccines can lead to loss of males or female fertility or fertility treatment outcomes.
    • Existing data suggests COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy does not increase the risk of miscarriage.
    • According to the CDC, as of July 26, 2021, 139,562 pregnant women have been vaccinated and 5,104 are participating in a registry with frequent follow-up with no increase in adverse maternal events or pregnancy outcomes noted.

How the COVID-19 vaccine protects mom and baby

The CDC recently issued an urgent health advisory strongly recommending all women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant get the COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant and recently pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of severe illness, with a 70% increased risk of death. But the COVID-19 vaccine can help protect both mom and baby.

Advanced care and support for high-risk pregnancies

Baylor Scott & White offers advanced technology and testing to help promote a safe, healthy delivery for mom and baby, including (but not limited to):

  • 3D sonograms
  • Amniocentesis
  • Chorionic villi sampling
  • Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling
  • Wireless fetal monitoring
  • Genetic counseling

Our high-risk pregnancy care locations also offer a full range of support services for high-risk pregnancies, such as social workers, diabetic educators, dietitians, physical therapists and pastoral care.

Find high-risk pregnancy care

Neonatal intensive care for the most fragile newborns

Baylor Scott & White has 11 neonatal intensive care units in North and Central Texas, including Level I, II, III and IV NICUs.

Neonatologists and specially trained support staff use the most advanced technology to support breathing and many other life-sustaining measures.

Find a NICU

Preparing you for childbirth and parenthood

Childbirth and parenthood are major life changes, and preparations for those changes can offer comfort. To help you prepare, we offer group pregnancy and childbirth classes as well as classes held specifically for mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents and babysitters.

Find an option that fits you, attend a class at a convenient location or select an online class and begin at any time.

Find a parent education class